Washing and extracting machine



J. B KIRBY' msgmc AND EXTRACTING MACHINE Jan. 18, 1955 3 Shets-Sheet 1Filed May 23, 1946 Jan. 18, 1955 J. B. KIRBY 2,599,660 3 WASHING'ANDEXTRACTING MACHINE Filed May 23, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 2zmr","ar"riiiilld) INVENTOR. JAMES Elf/EB) A TT NEYS J. B. KIRBY WASHINGAND EXTRACTING MACHINE Jan. 18, 1955 3. Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 23,1946 INVENTOR. JAMES B: K/EBY Y ZUJQ ATTORNEYS QRQMVMW .matic washerrequiring 2,699,660 WASHING AND EXTRACTING MACHINE James B. Kirby, WestRichfield,

Apex Electrical Manufacturing a corporation of Ohio, as trusteeApplication May 23, 1946, Serial No. 671,779 9 Claims. (Cl. 68-23) Ohio,assignor to .The Co., Cleveland, Ohio,

This invention relates to laundering and concerns particularly thewashing and rinsing or Iabrics and the like.

One ob ect of this invention is to control and minimize vibration in acentrifuge apparatus, and particularly in a combined washingandextracting laundry machine. Another object is to decelerate or stopthe rotation of a centrifuge when the load contained therein isunbalanced to such an extent as to cause excessive vibration, to subjectthe load to forces tending to balance the same, and again accelerate therotation to bring the centrifuge up to the desired speed.

Another ob ect of this invention is to wash flexible fabric articlesrapidly with a smallamount of fluid, to rinse them rapidly with littlefluid, and then remove moisture content to a greater degree thanpossible by simple centrifuging.

A further object of this invention is to provide improved arrangementsfor washing, extracting and rinsing articles and runner removingmoisture content without rehandling the articles between the washing andrinsing operations or between the rinsing and moisture extractingoperations.

A further object of the invention isrto provide an auto a small amountof fluid having rapid washing and rapid rinsing characteristics andcutting the overall time of articles handled to a very short cycle.

Still another object of the invention is to carry on washing, rinsingand extracting operations in a vertical container and to diminishmoisture content during the flufiing operation, all while the clothesare in a vertical container.

Still another object of the invention is to counteract vibration and toovercome deleterious effects of vibration in apparatus containingrotating mechanism or in other apparatus subject to vibration.

A further object is to providea very rapid means for washing with asmall amount of water togive a very short overall cycle of operation,.with power supplied by a conventional fractional horse power motor.

Another object is to prevent transmission of vibration to an enclosingcasing by allowing mechanism to vibrate or move freely within the casingand tuning the mechanism with vibration counteracting means.

Still another object of the invention is to guard against excessivevibration in rotary apparatus by cutting down the applied rotary powerin response to vibratory tendency.

A further object is to restore and cut out the rotary power periodicallyin such rotary apparatus until the cause of the vibration has beenreduced or eliminated.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention willbecome apparent as the description proceeds.

In carrying out my invention in accordance with a preferred formthereof, I subject clothes or other fabric articles to forces tendingsimultaneously to oscillate them and redistribute them while drivingair, washingfluid, or both through them. There is a substantiallyvertically oscillatory componentof force for washing action, acircumferential component of force for distributing action on theclothes and a roll-over or inwardly over-turning component of force forredistributing action. For extracting, the clothes are revolved atsuflicient speed to expel the major portion of the washing fluid.

For accomplishing these actions, the clothes or other articles are heldin a container having liquid discharging openings in it and the samecontainer is employed for holding the clothes during both the washingand extracting operations. In the preferred embodiment a single rotary2,699,660 Patented Jan. 18, 1955 driving member is employed foractuating the container to produce both the washing and drying aCLIOHS,and means are provided for recirculating water through the containerduring the washing action. Mechanism s interposed be tween the drivingmember and the container tor alterna 'tively, either converting therotary lIllOLlOI'l of the .drivmg rotates with the driving member. Themechanism is such as to impart to the container during washing action arocking or seesaw motion rotatively progressing around itscenter, whatmay be described as vertical reciprocation of the container withsuccessive portions of the container around its center beingreciprocated in progressively different phase.

Prererably the driving mechanism and mounting for the container aresecured to a carriage, and a casing is provided in which the carriage isfree to move sidewise. Vibration counteracting reeds are mounted uponthe carriage for counteracting any vibratory force acting .upon thecarriage and preventing it from being transmitted to the casing by thecarriage.

To guard against excessive vibration during extraction in case thearticles in the container are badly unbalanced, a vibration sensitiveswitch is arranged to control the rotation. In one form, a thermal latchmechanism is provided, which is normally set or cocked for braking orreducing speed of revolution of the article container or extractor andtending to produce jigging action as in washing, but is normally notreleased for effecting such speed reduction except in case of excessivevibration. An electrical cutout switch is associated with the latch. Thearrangement is such that upon release of the latch and operation of thecutoutswitch the thermal latch is reset after a predetermined lapse oftime by a change in temperature resulting from operation of the switchso as to relatch the mechanism until the vibration again becomesexcessive.

To accomplish greater extraction of moisture from the clothes and toobtain fluffing action after the extracting action has been completed,the washing action is repeated without liquid and simultaneously freshdry air is directed at the articles as they continually shift positionsduring fiuffing action in the container.

A better understanding of the invention will be afforded by thefollowing detailed description considered in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, and the scope of the invention will be set forthin the claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevation view, largely in vertical medial section, of aWashing and extracting machine forming an embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a view of a cross section represented as cut by a horizontalplane 2-2, indicated in Fig. I;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view representing a section cut in one corner ofthe casing through the weighted end of a vibration counteracting reed bythe horizontal plane 33, indicated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of a section cut by a vertical plane 4-4,indicated in Fig. supporting end of a vibration counteracting reed;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the apparatusrepresented as cut through the excess vibration cutoff apparatus by avertical plane 55, indicated in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a switch operation diagram illustrating the sequence ofoperation of the apparatus;

'Fig. 7 is a circuit diagram schematically representing the sequencecontrolling time switch and parts of the mechanism controlled by thetime switch; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view of the apparatus of Fig. 5 showing theparts in the position assumed after the thermal latch has been releasedby excessive vibration.

'Like reference characters are utilized throughout the drawings todesignate like parts.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention as shown in the drawing andwhich will be described comprises a casing 11 within which is mounted awashing machine 2, passing through the scription of the apparatus.

carriage 12 including a base plate 13 arranged to be free to oscillatehorizontally within the casing 11. The plate 13 has mounted thereon apedestal 14 for supporting a container 15 for articles to be cleansed, adriving motor 16, and other pieces of mechanism which will be pointedout more particularly in connection with a detailed de- Brake and clutchmechanism for controlling the transmission of power from the motor 16 tothe container 15 and for alternatively effecting the washing andextracting action is represented generally by the reference numeral 17in Fig. 1. For automatically controlling and timing the sequence ofoperations, a time switch 18 is provided having a manual starting knob19.

For forming a water reservoir or tub 21 below the container 15, sheetmetal pieces are provided including a cylindrical shell 22, a bottom 23with a recessed portion 24 around the motor 16 having a raised wall 26above the motor .16 joined to the shell 22 and to a tubular sheet 27surrounding the pedestal 14. The container 15 for clothes or otherfabric articles to be washed has a top opening 28 to permit articles tobe washed to be placed therein or removed, and the casing 11 has aremovable cover 29 which may be transparent.

A water supply nozzle or spout 31 is provided for directing water intothe top opening 28 of the container 15 and a pair of nozzles 32 (onevisible) is provided for recirculating water into the container 15. Thecasing 11 is provided with rectangular members 33.

For supporting the casing 11 and the frame 33 upon a horizontal surface35 such as a floor in a home, for example, which may be composed of woodflooring, cement,

a base or frame comprising hollow-;

or other surfaces subject to uneveness, vertically adjustable feet 36are provided, preferably four in number, and one of the feet is providedwith a self leveling mecha nism 37, preferably comprising a hydraulicstabilizer. The hydraulic stabilizer 37 may be of the type described ingreater detail in my co-pending application, Serial No..

619,849, filed October 2, 1945.

The container 15 and the alternative driving mechanism therefore toproduce washing and extracting action are also of the type described ingreater detail in my said co-pending application, Serial No. 619,849,filed October 2, 1945. In this type of apparatus the container 15 isprovided with openings to permit continuous circulation of water throughthe mass of clothes or articles to be washed held in the container, andobstacles such as L- shaped sloping cleats or ribs 34 are provided whichare fastened within the lower edges of the container to retardcircumferential motion of fabric articles around the container duringthe washing operation and to promote roll over motion of the articles. j

As indicated in Fig. 1 the driving and supporting mech-..' Ii.

anism for the container 15 is carried by the pedestal 14 concentricallytherewith. The pedestal 14 comprises a tubular portion 38 and a flangeportion 39 supported by a plurality of legs 41, preferably four innumber. Rotatably mounted pedestal 14 are a tubular or hollow, rotatingdrive shaft 42 and a control shaft 43, the latter being within thehollow shaft 42. For rotatably supporting the hollow shaft 42 within thepedestal 14, upper and lower ball bearings within the tubular portion 38of theji- 44 and 45, are provided. I

A fitting 46, which serves as a rotatable driving member for thecontainer 15, in turn carries an inclined bearing 47 upon which thecontainer 15 is journalled through a supporting hub 48. An apron 49 isprovided for preventing water from splashing over the wall 27 andfalling upon the mechanism below the tub bottom 23.

The apron 49 is composed of suitable flexible material impervious towater such as sheet rubber, for example, to avoid interfering withsidewise motion of the pedestal 38 and the container 15, relative to thereservoir or tub 21 and the casing 11. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, themotor 16 is arranged to drive the hollow shaft 42 rotatively through abelt 51 engaging a pulley 52 secured to the hollow shaft 42 at the lowerend thereof.

For supporting the control shaft 43 at the lower end in such a manner asto permit relative rotation between the inner or control shaft 43 andthe outer shaft 42, a bearing 53 is provided. A suitable flexibleconnection or universal joint is provided between control shaft 43 andthe container 15. This may take the form, for example, of cross pins 54secured to the upper end-of the shaft 43 and fitting loosely in avertical slot 55 formed in the hub 48 of the container 15. Forreleasably preventing rotation of the control shaft 43 when the hollowshaft 42 is rotated, a brake drum 56 is secured to the lower end of thecontrol shaft 43 and a brake band 57, adapted to grip the drum 56, isprovided.

Suitable means are provided for bringing the control shaft 43 up to thespeed of the hollow shaft 42 when the brake band 57 is not in engagementwith the brake drum 56. To this end the pulley 52 may be constructed inhollow form with an inner clutch surface 58 anda plurality ofcentrifugal friction clutch dogs 59 may be pivotally mounted, asillustrated more clearly in Fig. 1, upon the web portion 61 of the brakedrum 56. Suitable means such as biasing springs are provided forpreventing engagement of the clutch dogs 59 until a predetermined speedof the brake drum 56 has been reached.

Suitable linkage is provided for controlling the engagement of the brakeband 57 with the brake drum 56. For example, as illustrated in Figs. 2and 7, a lever 63 may be provided which is pivoted to a pin 64 securedto the base plate 13 of the apparatus. One end of the brake band 57 isfastened to a pin 65 which is also secured to the base plate 13 and theother end is fastened to a pin 66 carried by the short end of the lever63. For normally producing engagement of the brake band 57, a spring 67is provided which is fastened at one end to a pin 68 secured to the baseplate 13 and is secured at the other end to the outer end of the lever63.

Preferably fluid pressure means are provided for releasing the brakeband 57. This may take the form of a bellows 69 secured at one end tothe base plate 13 and connected at the other end through a link 71 tothe lever 63. In order that the ordinary water pressure of the waterpipes in the dwelling house or other building may be used for producingthe requisite fluid pressure, the brake control system is preferablyhydraulic. The bellows 69 has an inlet opening connected to a waterconduit 72, admission of water to which is controlled by a cold watervalve 73, preferably solenoid operated. For making the operation of thevalve 73 responsive to the time switch 18, a solenoid 74 is provided,which is connected in series with a pair of time switch contacts 75 toan electric control circuit supply 76. The mechanical connections aresuch that the valve 73 is normally closed and opens upon energization ofthe solenoid coil 74.

Means are provided for permitting the container 15 and the carriage 12upon which it is mounted to move horizontally in the event of anunbalanced overload in the container 15 which might tend to causevibration. To this end the base plate 13 is provided with buttonlikefeet 78 placed at or near the corners of the plate 13 and adapted torest in slide cups 79 mounted on the top edges of the hollow base framemembers 33. In order to provide space for the upwardly extendinghydraulic stabilizer 37, one of the' corners 81 of the base plate 13 hasbeen cut out and the slide cup and slidable foot which would normallyhave been placed in that corneri havle been moved slightly along theedge as represented in 1g.

In the illustrated embodiment, the tub 21 is substantially circularwhereas the casing 11 is rectangular. The casing 11 may be made largerthan the tub 21 to provide a clearance between them; however, in thespecific embodiment illustrated in my present application, this is notnecessary. Freedom for lateral motion is allowed the base plate 13 andthe feet 78 together with the pedestal 14 and the other mechanismcarried thereby including the container 15 without contacting ortransmitting vibration to the center wall 27 of the tub 21, which in thepresent arrangement, is secured rigidly within the casing 11. Thelatter, in turn, rests directly upon the floor or other support throughthe feet 36.

Means are provided to counteract or absorb vibration of the container 15which may result from an unbal- In the illustrated embodiment, thistakes the form of inertia members mounted on the carriage 12, whichsupports the container 15 through the pedestal 14. Resilient reeds 82,preferably steel, are secured at their lower ends to diagonally oppositecorners of the base plate 13 by any suitable means, such as the blocks136 which span the outer ends of the legs 41. Inertia members 83 aresecured to the reeds so as to counteract and absorb lateral vibration ofthe carriage 12 and the container 15.

. insFig. 7, a cleansing liquid the washer operating pulley thebelt 51.The pump89 so as to draw relatively little power from the motor 16 .andhas a pair .connected to pipes or flexible Fig. l is taken. detail in myco-pending application, Serial No. 619,849,

fluid pressure, preferably hydraulically,

. admission of fluid pressure.

arranged for intermittently decelerating the control shaft .43 andthereby decelerating the rotarymotion of the container 15 duringcentrifugal drying operations in response to any vibration which mayoccur greater than a predetermined amplitude. Preferably, vibrationresponsive means are provided for operating the solenoid 74 to reapplythe brake 57 bor arresting the extracting action and re-introducingjigging or washing action. This may take the form of .a vibrationsensitive switch 77, represented schematically in Figure 7 and shown indetail in Fig. 5, connected in series with the solenoid 74, which willbe described in greater detail hereinafter in connection with Fig. 5.

To decrease the moisture content further and to fluff the articles inthe container 15.from which the cleansing liquid has been extracted oris being extracted, means are preferably provided for restoring thejigging motion corresponding to washing or rinsing action after thetermination of a normal extraction cycle and simultaneously directing ajet of relatively dry air against the articles within the container 15.For this purpose a supplementary nozzle 34 projecting into the opening28 of the container 15 is provided. For supplying air to the nozzle 84 amotor driven blower 85 is provided which has an outlet connectionthrough a length of flexible tubing or hose 86 to the nozzle 84. Theblower 85 is provided with inlet tubing or an intake pipe 87 which-isarranged to draw air from the exterior of the casing 11. For example, incase the washing machine is operated in a basement or laundry having arelatively humid atmosphere, the intake pipe 87 may be connected to aduct leading from the living quarters of a dwelling house, or ifdesired, special heatingmeans, not shown, may be provided for assuringsufficient warmth and dryness of the air drawn into the pipe 87. Asindicated schematically in Fig. 7, the blower 85 is preferably driven byan electric motor 88 adapted to be controlled by the time switch 18inaccordance with the desired operating cycle.

As illustrated in Fig. 2 and indicated schematically vided which isarranged to be driven simultaneously with 52 by the motor 16 through ispreferably of the vane type of vanes 91 drawing water from an in letopening 92 and discharging it through a discharge passageway. There is atwin outlet discharge head 93 tubing 94 connected in turn to there-circulating nozzles 32. The inlet 92 is connected through a length ofhose or tubing, not shown, to an opening, not shown, in the tub bottom23. The opening is not visible in Fig. 1 since it is assumed to be infront of the plane along which the sectional view of These features areshown in greater filed October 2, 1945.

A two-way valve 95 is provided in the pump discharge passageway forconnecting the pump output either to a drain hose 96 or to there-circulating discharge head 93. The two-way valve 95, indicated inFigs. 2 and 7,

,is of the type illustrated in greater detail in my aforesaid co-pendingapplication comprising valve discs adapted to cooperate with a pair ofinclined valve seats, the valve disc being carried by a lever secured toa rotatable shaft 90 extending through the pump casing.

For enabling the two-way valve 95 to be operated by a fluid pressureunit such as a bellows 97 is provided which is similar in type to thebellows 69 previously described in connection with the hydraulicoperation for the brake band 57. As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 7, thebellows 97' is provided with an inlet opening connected bya length ofconduit or tubing 93 to the output of a valve controlling Preferably theconduits '72 and -98 are connected to a common line controlled by thevalve 73. In this manner the draining and pumping operation may becontrolled simultaneously with the conversion from washing to extractionoperation and vice versa, bya single set of switch contacts 75 of thetime circulating pump 89 is proso that the drain switch 18. As shown,the bellows 97 has a link 99 or other suitable mechanicalconnection to acrank pin 101 carried by a crank 102 keyed to the two-way valve shaft90.

A spring 103 is provided for normally holding the drain valve closed andthe linkage from the bellows 97 to the valve control shaft 91) is suchthat the spring 103 holds the valve disc against the valve seat onthedrain side through the opening: 96 is closed except when the solenoidcoil 74 is energized to admit pressure to the bellows 97. A bleed tube160 may open from the circuit 72, so that the bellows 69 and 97 arecollapsed by the springs 67 and 103 when the valve 73 is c osed.

In order to proportion the flow of water recirculated through thenozzles 32 into the container 15 and out through discharge through thedrain holes or perforations in the container 15, means are provided forcontrolling the supply of water to the nozzles 32. Preferably a floatswitch 104, indicated schematically in Fig. 7, is provided in the lowerportion of the tub 21 above the bottom wall 23. The float switch maycomprise a float composed of a light material such as cork or the like,secured to an arm in the form of a thin rod protruding through anopening in the side wall of the tub for operating a micro-switch 105.Although my invention is not limited thereto, in the specificarrangement here illustrated, the switch is so arranged as to benormally open, and is closed whenever the float 104 falls.

As will be explained more in detailhereinafter, the microswitch 105 isconnected in series with a valve operating solenoid for controllingsupply of either hot or warm rinse water through the supply nozzle 31.

The water supply spout 31 may be connected to a source of hot or warmtap water through a line such as a flexible hose line 1106, representedin section in Fig. 2. Preferably a single electrically operated valveunit 107 is provided having inlet pipes or flexible tubes 108 and 1&9leading from the cold and the hot water taps, respectively, of the watersystem of a dwelling house or other building. The unit 167 preferablycarries the solenoid valve 73 to which the cold water pipe 108 isdirectly connected, and also warm and hot water control valves 111 and112. The unit 107 preferably also contams conventional thermostaticmixing valves, not shown,

solenoid operated valve 112 which controls the admission of the originalsupply of hot washing water. As represented schematically in Fig. 7, thevalve 111 is provided with an operating solenoid coil 113 and the valve112 is provided with an operating solenoid coil 114.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, there is formed integrally with the top 116 ofthe cabinet or casmaterial such as sheet rubber stretched over thesplash guard 115. The upper edge 118 of the tub 21 is preferably doubleflared, as shown, so as to provide a groove 19 for receiving a split thegroove 119 for stretching the outer portion of the sheet rubber seal 117and holding it in the groove 119. A wmdo w 122 may be provided in thesplash guard for admitting light from a lamp 123 to the interior of thearnclecontainer 15. The window 122 may be covered with a suitabletranslucent or transparent material such as plastic, for example,Lucite.

Rreferably the elements of the apparatus are mounted as illustrated inFig. 2, with the main power motor 16, the water controlling valve unit107, the water inlets 108 and 1119 cut-off switch 77 The rear wall ofthe casing 11 1s provlded with a removable panel to facilitateinstallation and adjustment of the mechanism enumerated.

The present invention is not limited to a specific type of apparatus forthe timer or time switch 18. Preferably,

oweyer, for the sake of precision in the operation of the timer andprecision in fixing of the intervals, since points or switches.

- which operates the brake For example, a timer such as described in myco-pending application, Serial No. 619,849, including a constant speedmotor 132 represented schematically in Fig. 7, and a plurality ofseparate cams 125 (Fig. 1) each actuating the protruding operating pinor button or one of a group of conventional micro-switches 120 may beused. In order to carry out the illustrative operating cycle which willbe described hereinafter, the timer micro-switches 120 preferablyinclude six separate switches or pairs of switch contacts schematicallyrepresented in Fig. 7. These contacts include the contacts 75 forcontrolling the operation of the solenoid valve 73 57 and the drain andcirculation control valve 95; a pair of switch contacts 126 forcontrolling operation of the pump driving and main power motor 16', apair of contacts 127 for controlling the warm rinse water valve 111; apair of switch contacts 128 for controlling the hot wash water valve112; a pair of switch contacts 129 for controlling the blower motor 88;and

131 for controlling energization of the illuminating lamp 115 and thetimer driving motor 132. The timer driving motor 132 is preferably aself starting synchronous motor. It is represented as having a drivingshaft 133 carrying the cams 125 and also extending upwardly to themanual starting knob 19. The latter is secured to the upper end of thecam shaft 133 for permitting manual starting and also permitting manualadvancement of the cams to a more advanced position, if desired.

The electric circuit arrangement of the electric timer 18 and theelectrical apparatus controlled thereby is represented schematically inFig. 7. A source of electrical current 76 from a conventional houselighting system is utilized having conductors 134 and 135, the latter ofwhich is designated as a return conductor as a matter of convenience indesignating the various branch circuits of the apparatus. During suchtimes as the various contacts may be closed, circuits are formed asfollows:

From the conductor 134 through timer contacts 131, the'timer motor 132,and back to the return conductor 135; from the conductor 134 through thetimer contacts 131, illuminating lamp 115, back to the return conductor135; from the conductor 134 through the timer contacts 129, the drivingmotor 88 for the blower 85 to the return conductor 135; from theconductor 134 through the timer contacts 128, the solenoid coil 114 foroperating the hot water supply valve 112 and the float switch contacts105, back to the return conductor 135', from the conductor 134 throughthe timer contacts 127, the solenoid coil 113 for the warm rinse watervalve 111 and the float switch contacts 105, back to the return contacts135; from the conductor 134 through the timer contact 75, the vibrationsensitive switch 77, a solenoid coil 74 for the control valve 73, backto the return conductor 135; and from the conductor 134 through the timeswitch contacts 126 and the main driving and pump operating motor 16,back to the return conductor 135. It will be observed that the timeroperating motor 132 and the lamp 115 are operated in parallel.

The circuit diagram of Fig. 7 is merely schematic and does not serve toindicate the order in which the various timer contacts 75 and 126 to 131inclusive are closed or make contact. The cams are arranged in differentangular positions on the shaft 133 to produce circuit closing in thedesired succession, and are appropriately shaped to produce closing ofthe contacts for the desired time duration. The preferred sequence ofoperation, and an illustrative duration of each are indicated in Fig. 6.Such cam shaping is known to those skilled in the art and thus has notbeen specifically illustrated. The significance of Fig. 6 will beexplained more in detail hereinafter in connection with an explanationof the manner of operation of the apparatus.

The vibration absorbing reeds 82 are welded or otherwise secured insockets formed in the base blocks 136; In this manner space is conservedwithin the casing 11 as the two reeds 82 may occupy two of the cornersbetween the round tub 21 and the square walls of the casing 11.Manifestly the reeds may be mounted and arranged in any other desiredmanner to cooperate with a tub and easing of any other configuration. inthe illustrated arrangement the weights 83 may be so shaped, asillustrated in Fig. 3 for example, as to utilize to the best advantagethe corner spaces within the casing 11. The length, stiffa pair ofswitch contacts -ness and-weight or thickness of the vibration absorbingreeds 82 are so chosen in relation to the mass of the tunlng weights 83as to give the vibration absorbing reeds a natural period of vibrationor oscillation equalling that at which vibration tends to occur duringextracting action in the event of unbalance of articles to be driedwithin the container 15. The natural frequency of vibration accordinglyis made equal to the frequency represented by the speed of rotation ofthe container 15 and the shaft 42, or in some cases, equal to a harmonicor sub-harmonic. The reason that reeds 82 may be tuned to a harmonic orsub-harmonic of the frequency represented by the speed of the container15 is that two mass-elastic systems may vibrate in resonance either whenthey are tuned to the same frequency of vibration or when either istuned to a harmonic, that is, an integral multiple, of the frequency ofthe other.

The vibration sensitive switch 77, illustrated in greater detail in Fig.5, comprises a bracket 137 rigidly secured to the sidewise movable baseplate 13 and a vertical rod or stationary fixture 138 rigidly secured tothe casing 11 or preferably to the supporting bed frame 33 thereof.Means are also provided to return the switch substantially to normalposition after a predetermined time interval, including a temperatureresponsive electric current operating bendable unit 139 and switchcontact mechanism 141 operated by the unit 139.

The temperature responsive electrically operated bendable unit 139comprises a bi-metallic strip 142'supported at one end in thermalrelation to, preferably above, a current conducting coil or heater 143.As illustrated, the bi-metallic strip 142 is supported at the left handend 144 and has a movable end 145. The heater 143 comprises a coil ofwire Wound upon an insulating form 146, also supported at the left handend. The bracket 137, in the arrangement illustrated, extends verticallyupward having a lateral arm 147 at the upper end thereof to which thestrip 142 and the heater supporting form 146 are secured. Preferablythere is a spacing block 148 which may be composed of insulatingmaterial between the left hand end 144 of the bi-metallic strip 142 andthe bracket arm 147 and likewise there may be a spacing block 149preferably composed of insulating material between the bracket 137 andthe supported end of the heater form 146.

The switch contact mechanism 141 comprises suitable switch contacts witha mechanical connection to the free end of the bi-metallic strip 142.Preferably, as illustrated, the switch contact mechanism 141 comprises amicro-switch of conventional type, well known to those skilled in theart, shown within a standard casing having a protruding contactoperating button 152 extending vertically downward and adapted to bearagainst the upper surface of the free end 145 of the bi-metallic strip142. The micro-switch 141 preferably is o fthe singlepole, double throwtype having a pair of normally closed contacts and a pair of normallyopen contacts 153. The arrangement is such that the contacts 150 openand the contacts 153 close when the free end 145 of the strip 142 risesand presses upward on the button 152. For this arrangement thebi-metallic strip 142 is designed so that when cold it tends to benddownward and when heated it tends to straighten out with the end 145rising against the button 152. For example, in the case of a coppersteelstrip the copper, having the greater temperature coefficient ofexpansion would be below and the steel above. As representedschematically in Fig. 7, the heater winding 143 is connected serially ina circuit including conductors 134 and 135, the closed contacts 150 andthe timer contacts 75; whereas, the solenoid 74 is connected seriallyin'a circuit including the conductors 134 and 135, the timer contacts 75and the normally open contacts 135.

Preferably in order to hasten the return of the bimetallic strip 142 tothe downward position when the current through the heater winding 143 iscut off, means are provided for hastening the cooling of the strip 142.This may take the form of a chill plate 154 mounted between the lateralbracket arm 147 and the bi-metallic strip 142.

The stationary rod member 138, as previously mentioned, extendsvertically upward and considered as a unit is so mounted that the upperend thereof fits under and adjacent the free end 145 of the bi-metallicstrip 142 when the strip 142 is in its upper or heated position.Preferably, however, for reasons which will be explained ag'eesgeeohereinafter, the stationary rod unit 138 is formed'as a composite memberconsisting of a relatively stiff strip155 WhlCh may be bent as shown,secured at the lower end'to the bed frame 33, and a relatively flexibleeasily deflected spring strip 156. The latter is secured at the lowerend to a portion of the stiff strip 155 and extends upward beyond theupper end of the stiff strip 155 so that when the br-metallic strip 142is placed in downwardly bending stress the free end 145 thereof bearsagainst the upper end 157 of the strip spring 156. it will be observedthat the strip spring 156 is secured to theside of the stiff strip 155away from the supported end 144 of the bi-metallic strip 142 so thatstrip spring 156 is free to deflect to the right to prevent interlockingbetween the ends 145 and 157 of the strips 142 and 146, respectively,during any excessive lateral motion of the base plate 13'.

It will be observed that during the washing action, when the controlshaft 43 is held stationary by the brake band 57 acting on the brakedrum 56, the tubular shaft 42 rotates the tilted bearing 47 in which thesupporting hub 48 for the container 15 is journalled. Consequently, thegeometric axis of the container 15 is continuously tilted, being tiltedin a different direction progressively moving around the axis of theshaft 42. For example, a point in the geometric axis of the container 15above the center of mass thereof revolves around the axis of the shaft42 whereas the container 15 itself is prevented from rotating about itsgeometric axis by reason of the engagement of the slot 55 with the pins54. Different portions of the mass of water and articles in thecontainer 15 are reciprocated in a vertical direction with progressivelydifferent phase around the center to produce a jigging action.

The timer diagram shown in Fig. 6 illustrates diagrammatically the cams125 of the timer 18 by indicating the preferred sequence of operationsand illustrative time periods during which the respective switches 75and 126 to 131 may be closed. As indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 6and shown in the circuit diagram of Fig. 7, the timer contacts 127 and128 controlling the supply of Water to the washing machine are sub ectto the control also of the float switch 105 shown in Fig. 7.Furthermore, as indicated diagrammatically inFig. 6, the effect of thetimer switch 75 controlling extracting and rinsing operations is alsosubject to modificationby the vibration responsive cut-out 77.

The first operation in using the illustrated apparatus is to place thearticles to be washed or cleansed, such as clothes for example, in thecontainer 15 shown in Fig. 1. The starting knob 19 is then turnedmanually in the starting direction, for example clockwise. A very slightturn causes the switch contacts 131 to closewhich energizes the drivingmotor 132of the timer 18 and from this point on the cams 125 of thetimer 18are automatically driven to carry out the timer operations. Asindicated by the continuous heavy line 158 in the chart of Fig. 6, theshape of the timer cam controlling'the switch contacts 131 may be' suchthat the contacts are closedone and one-half minutes before the timeintended for the main motor 16 to start and remain closed thereafter fora period of thirty-three minutes. That is, the contacts 131 remainclosed from the time minus one-half minute on the arbitrarily shownscale of Figs 6 to the time thirty-three minutes, being a total ofthirty-four and one-half minutes.

Preferably the next step is to supply the machine with hot water forwashing. Thus, as illustrated in the diagram of Fig. 6, the hotwatersupply may beopened at the time one-quarter minute, by energization ofthe solenoid 114, which in turn opens the valve112. Referring to Fig. 7,provided the float switch 105 is closed, thehot water supply valvesolenoid 114 is energized by the closing of the switch 128 and waterbegins to flow into the container 15 through thesupply nozzle or: spout31. Obviously the switch 105 will be closed at the commencement ofoperations before any water has flowed into the container 15 and drainedinto the tub 21 to lift the float 104 and open the switch 105. Thus thewater supply is started before the main motor 16 is started;

If it is desired, a separate time switch cam and pair of contacts maybeprovided as described in my aforesa'id co-pending application Serial No.619,849 for causing the drain valve of unit 95 to be normally open andto close after the starting ofthe timer motor 132 but before thestarting of the main drivingmotor 16. However, for the sake ofsimplicity in the drawings and de- 10 scription and to illustrate themanner of employing a common solenoid operated valve 73 for controllingboth pressure operators or bellows 69 and 97 for the washingspinningcontrol and the two-Way drain and recirculation control, the illustratedarrangement is such that the twoway valve is normally in the closedposition and is thus already closed when the timer motor 132 is started.Inasmuch as the drain valve controlling the discharge of washing liquidthrough the drain pipe 96 is initially closed, the hot wash water isallowed to remain in the tub 21 as soon as the valve 112 is opened atthe time one-quarter minutes as indicated by the full line 161 in thetimer diagram of Fig. 6. Hot washing water in the tub21 is recirculatedby the pump 89 through the recirculating nozzle 32 to the container 15as soon as the power motor 16 starts upon closure of the contacts 126which may be at the time one minute as indicated by the full line 162 inthe timer diagram of Fig. 6; Soap powder or solution may be added to thetub 21 at any time. The soap mixes immediately owing to the rapid actionof the washer. Foam can be seen within a few seconds.

When the switch 126 is closed it energizes the main motor 16 whichstarts the pump 89 in operation. The motor 16 also rotates the pulley 52driving the hollow shaft 42 shown in Fig. 1. Owing to the fact that thebrake drum 56 is gripped by the brake band 57 in consequence of theforce of the spring 67, shown in Fig. 2, the center or control shaft 43is prevented from rotating about its geometric axis, so that rotation ofthe shaft 42 produces a rotatively progressing vertically reciprocatorymotion of the lower surfaces of the container 15 as discussed in greaterdetail in my aforesaid co-pending application Serial No. 619,849. It issuflicient here to point out that this produces a jigging washing actionupon the articles placed in the container 15. As indicated by the extentof the dotted portion of the line 163 in Fig. 6, the hot water supplyvalve solenoid 114 controlled by the switch 128' may remain energizeduntil the time eight and onequarter minutes. For the greater portion ofthis time, indicated by the dotting of the line 163, the supply valve112 is not opened owing to the fact that the switch opens as soon assuflicient water has been supplied to the tub 21 for the particularload.

The automatic control of the delivery of water to the container 15through the supply spout 31 is in part dependent on the quantity ofclothes in the container 15. The water required to saturate the clothesis retained in the container 15 while suflicient water is accumulatingin the tub 21 to permit a full stream to be delivered through the spouts32. The length of the total cycle of the machine is shortened by reasonof the arrangement which requires but a small quantity of wash water sothat little time is required for running Water in and out of the tub.

Simultaneously with the end of the washing period at the time, forexample, of eight minutes, where a single pair of switch contacts 75 isemployed for controlling both the bellows 69 and 97, the drain pipe 96from the two-way valve 95 is opened by the bellows 97 to cause water to'be withdrawn from the tub 21. Simultaneously the closing of the switch75 applies pressure to the bellows 69 for overcoming the pressure of thespring 67 and releasing the brake band 57 as indicated by the full line164.

The center shaft or control shaft 43, shown in Fig. 1, is then allowedto rotate, permitting the container 15 also to rotate and to come up tospeed gradually for centrifugal drying purposes. Owing to the inertiaand the continual change of oscillation velocity of the container 15necessary for carrying out the rotatively progressing reciprocatorymotion through the inclined bearing 47, there is a tendency for dynamiccoupling between the shafts 42 and 43 so that the shaft 43 and thecontainer 15 tend to come up to a speed approaching that of the tubularshaft 42. At a predetermined point the speed is suflicient to throw outthe clutch shoes 59, shown in Fig. 1, so that an additional couplingbetween the shafts 42 and 43 is produced, namely, a slip clutch effectdue to the frictional engagement of the clutch shoes 59 with the innerpulley surface 58. The control shaft43 is brought up to the full speedof the tubular shaft 42 so long as no braking effect is applied to thedrum 56. Thus by utilizing but one single speed motor 16, the container15 may be oscillated or rotated alternatively with the same number ofoscillations per minute in one case, or revolutions per minute in theother case, depending upon whether the washing or the drying operationsare to be produced. Furthermore, no more driving power is required fordrying or for extracting than for washing. A conventional fractionalhorse power may be employed which may be thrown directly across theusual 110 volt domestic electric lines in accordance with electricwiring codes. Nevertheless the method of washing is very rapid and shortoverall cycle results. The rotational acceleration of the basket and theshaft 43 by rotation of the shaft 42 is explained by the fact that thehollow shaft must do work on the basket to oscillate it. This means thatthe basket is exerting a torque on tthe shaft, which resists itsrotation, and that there is an equal and opposite torque reaction of theshaft on the basket. This torque tends to rotate the basket, so that itmust be braked against rotation to obtain a pure wobbling motionuncomplicated by rotation. When the brake is released, the torque givesthe basket a rotational acceleration.

As the rotational speed of the basket increases, this rotation producesa gyroscopic action which acts to increase the resistance of the basketto wobbling and thus further increases the tendency of the basket torotate rather than wobble.

As indicated in Fig. 6, the extracting operation may continue for aperiod of two minutes during which the switch 75 remains closed, and thecontainer 15 continues to spin. However, before the end of this period,for example, at the time nine and three-quarter minutes indicated on thediagram by the full line 165, the switch contact 127 has closed, causingthe warm water supply solenoid 113 to be energized and thereby causingwarm rinse water to flow into the container 15 through the supply nozzle31. At the termination of the spinning period, for example, at the timeten minutes, the drain control bellows 97 actuated by the switch 75closes the drain and causes warm rinse water to be retained in the tub21 and to permit recirculation of warm rinse water to articles in thecontainer 15. When the full stream is obtained from the recirculatingnozzles 32 the float 105 cuts off the warm rinse water as during thewashing period, as indicated by the dotted line 166 in Fig. 6. At theend of the spinning period the switch 75 reopens, cutting off pressurefrom the bellows 69 and causing the brake band 57 to be re-engaged withthe brake drum 56 by the force of the spring 67.

The container 15 then resumes its washing action except that a freshsupply of clean warm rinse water is recirculated instead of the hotsoapy water utilized during the first period, and consequently theclothes are being rinsed instead of washed. The rinsing action continuesfor a desired period indicated as three minutes in Fig. 6, whereupon theswitch 75 again closes releasing the brake band 57 and allowing thecenter shaft 43 as well as the container 15 to be rotated as previouslyexplained at the full speed of the tubular shaft 42 for extracting. Theinvention is, of course, not limited to any particular number ofextracting and rinsing periods. In the specific time diagram illustratedthere is a second extracting period continuing for about two minutesfollowed by another rinsing period continuing for about two and one-halfminutes. This is followed in the arrangement illustrated by a furtherspinning or extracting period of about four and one-half minutes.

As indicated by the heavy lines 167 in the timer diagram of Fig. 6,since the same switch 75 controls the washing and extracting actionthrough the bellows 69 and the recirculating and draining action throughthe bellows 97, the drain 96 is open during each spinning or extractingperiod and closed during the washing and rinsing periods.

At a suitable time, such as a time twenty-two minutes, a spinning orextracting period is terminated and the washing action may commence, thedrain necessarily being closed again by reason of tthe constructionemployed. However, the cam for the time switch contacts 127 is soarranged that these contacts do not reclose and rinse water is not againadmitted to the container 15. The articles in the container aresubjected to the washing action without water so that tthe clothes,which may have been packed against the outer walls of the container 15,are shaken loose or fluffed. Simultaneously with the termination of thespinning period the timer contacts 129 may close, as indicated by thecommencement of the full line 168 in the timer diagram of Fig. 6,

starting the blower motor 88 and causing a jet of relatively' dry airfrom the air nozzle 84 to be directed into the container 15 and againstthe clothes or other fabric articles contained therein. This helps toreduce further the moisture content. The blower motor 88, as indicatedby the full line 168 of the timer diagram, may continue to operatesupplying relatively dry air until the end of the cycle of operation. Atthat time, thick, heavy articles are in such condition as to dry quicklyupon hanging; and relatively light, flimsy articles, handkerchiefs,shirts, and the like are prepared for immediate ironing.

The shape of the cam controlling the timer contacts 126 may be such thatthe power motor 16 is shut down for one-half minute periods at the endof the first two rinsing periods, namely, at ten minutes and fifteenminutes, respectively, in the specific operating cycle assumed. Thispermits fresh rinse water to flow into the container 15 while the drainvalve is open before the washing action of the container 15 hasrecommenced and after spinning has stopped. In this manner, the flushingof dirty soap water from the clothes is aided.

Although a specific operating cycle has been described, my invention isnot limited to this specific cycle. Some classes of fabric articles, forexample, require different washing, spinning and flufiing periods thanothers and the desired number of cams and contactors are provided'toenable the desired cycle of Washing operations to be achieved. Thefluifing period shakes up the clothes and separates them so that theyare not matted into a doughnut and the clothes may therefore be removedreadily from the container 15.

Preferably the cover 29 is provided with a vent or opening 171 throughits knob 172 and an anti-splash guard 173 below the vent 171, in orderto prevent the cover from being lifted by the pressure of airdisplacedduring entry of water in the machine preparatory to and during thewashing and rinsing operations. When the water has been removed and theblower 85 is in operation the volume of air entering the casing issufiicient to tilt one side of the cover 29 which is relatively light,and allow the air to escape.

During the extracting or centrifugal drying action when the tubularshaft 42 and the control shaft 43 are rotating together to causerotation at the same speed of the container 15 about the axis of theshafts 42 and 43, there may be a possibility of unbalance of the loadheld in the container 15 which would tend to cause vibration. Such anunbalance might occur, for example, in case a single bulky article wereplaced in the container 15, so that notwithstanding the redistributionordinarily produced during the washing action, a redistribution of theload in the container 15 to balance the load could not occur in thiscase. Such vibration tends to shift laterally the container 15, pedestal14 and base plate 13, as a unit, the feet 78 shifting in the cups 79 sothat the vibration is not transmitted to the supporting frame 33 or theouter cabinet. Motion of the plate 13 sets the reeds 82 in motion sothat the inertia members 83 counteract and balance the vibration.

In the event of an extreme out of balance condition tending to causeexcessive vibration, the vibration cutout 77, illustrated in Fig. 5, iscarried so far to the left that it slips down off the abutment or 'end157 of the strip spring 156 and assumes the position illustrated in Fig.8. As previously explained, the parts of the cutout 77 are so arrangedthat when the bi-metallic strip 142 is held upward the switch contacts153 are held closed. As soon as the base plate 13 is moved so far withrespect to the base 33 as to release the free end 145 of the bi-metallicstrip 142, this strip snaps downward owing to its natural permanent setwhen cool and causes the micro-switch 141 to open its contacts 153 andto close the contacts 150. This action de-energizes the solenoid 74 andcloses the valve 73. In consequence, pressure is no longer supplied tothe bellows 69, and the spring 67 applies the brake 57. This action bothslows down the speed of rotation of the container 15, eventuallybringing it to a stop, and restores tthe washing or rotativelyprogressive jigging action of the container 15. The resulting time delaypermits additional water to drain from the articles in the container 15,and the washing action tends to produce further redistribution of thearticles in the container 15, if the nature of the load permits. If theunbalance is great enough to cause the brake. 57 to engage before thespeed has reached a nix point at which the centrifugal clutch engages,the brake simply opposes the dynamic coupling which tends to acceleratethe container, and thus causes deceleration of the container andincrease of the speed of the oscillating or washing action. If, beforethe brake is applied, the speed has increased to a point at which thecentrifugal clutch has engaged, the action of the brake throws anadditional load on the motor and the centrifugal clutch, causing somedeceleration of the motor and slipping of the centrifugal clutch untilthe speed of rotation of the container decreases to a point at which thecentrifugal clutch drops out; at which point the deceleration willcontinue under the action of the brake. The closing of the contacts 150causes flow of current through the coil 143. After a certain time delaythe heater coil 143 becomes heated, causing the strip 142 to bend upwardagain and to close the contacts 153, whereupon the brake 57 is againreleased and the spinning or extraction action is resumed. If there isstill too much water in the load to avoid excessive unbalance, resultantvibration again releases the strip end 145' and again slows down thespinning. The action described may be repeated for several cycles untilthe extreme out of balance condition is corrected. The washing actiontends to distribute the load evenly, and the spinning action reduces theweight of water in the load, so that excessive unbalance is quicklycorrected.

If the apparatus should vibrate and the plate 13 should slide sidewiseafter the free end 145 of the bi-metallic strip 142 has dropped off theabutment 157 of the spring strip 156, there might be a tendency for thefree end 145 to strike the spring strip 156 transversely thereto.However, owing to the resiliency of the strip 156, no harm is done. Thestrip end 145 merely pushes the strip 156 intermittently to the right asillustrated in Fig. 8.

Although a preferred novel arrangement for preventing excessivevibration has been illustrated and described, this invention is notlimited to this specific arrangement of parts. Any desired vibrationsensitive device to retard or stop the spinning may be used in thebroader aspects of the invention.

Similarly the invention is not limited to any particular dimensions; butit has been found that an angle of tilt of 4 /2 degrees for the axis ofrelative rotation of the bearing 47, which gives a maximum movement of 9degrees, serves to produce satisfactory washing action with a container15 having an ll inch radius. With the shaft 42, of such an arrangement,revolving at a speed from 500 to 600 R. P. M., for example, the verticalcomponent of motion of the bottom-surface of the container 15continuously varies in velocity, with accelerations or decelerationsreaching peak values exceeding the acceleration of gravity.Consequently, during a portion of each oscillation each portion of thebottom surface of the container 15 near its periphery drops more rapidlythan the articles supported by such portion of the container 15. Wherethe arrangement is such that the tubular shaft 42 rotates 600 R. P. M.,preferably the vibration responsive reeds 82 are tuned to the naturalfrequency of vibration of 600 oscillations per minute or 10 oscillationsper second which involves the use of relatively heavy weights 83. Tuningmay be accomplished by adding or removing metal to or from the reed 82or the weight 83. But preferably suitable means, such as adjusting nuts169 are provided for permitting the vertical position of weights 83 tobe adjusted, thus varying the effective length of the vibrationresponsive reeds 82 to adjust their natural frequency of vibration.

In normal operation there is insuflicient unbalance to produce operationof the vibration responsive cutout 77. Any vibratory effect which may bepresent causes the base plate 13 to move horizontally inasmuch as thefeet 78 slide within the cups 79. This movement may take place withouttransmitting vibration to the casing 11 and there is no tendency fortransverse vibratory force on the feet 36 which would tend to cause thecasing 11 to crawl. However, sidewise vibratory movement of the carriageincluding the base plate 13 is opposed by the action of tthe tuned reeds82, so that normally sidewise vibration of the carriage reaches but verylittle amplitude.

The container 15 may be mounted just high enough to provide clearanceabove the tub well 24 over the motor '16, so that the center of gravityof the entire machine is kept relatively low.

Very little water is required for washing, although all liquid isdischarged at the end of each operation, since the clothes are notimmersed and merely a small quantity of water in the tub 21 in additionto that absorbed by the clothes is sufficient to provide water forcontinuous recirculation. Consequently the machine is highly economicalof water, especially important when special sources of soft water areemployed, and the machine is also economical of fuel for heating waterand economical of soap. 1

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many othermodifications may be made without departing from the spirit of thisinvention, and cover all such modifications as are intended to becovered by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a centrifuge, a container for articles from which fluid is to beextracted, means for rotatively accelerating said container, a supporton which said container is rotatively mounted, a base on which saidsupport is mounted with freedom of lateral motion of said container withrespect to said base, cooperating latch and detent means, one of saidmeans being movable with said container and the other fixed with respectto said base, said detent normally holding said latch but being adaptedto release said latch upon excessive lateral vibration of said containerwith respect to said base, electric circuit means for controllingacceleration of said container, switch means controlled by said latch,and means controlled by said switch for decelerating said container uponvibration-induced release of said latch.

2. A vibration release comprising in combination a bracket adapted to besecured to a first member susceptible of vibration relative to a secondmember, a temperature responsive bendable strip secured to said bracketat one end, a detent mounted on the second member adjacent the other endof said bendable strip adapted to lock said bendable strip, electricswitch means controlled by said strip in circuit opening and closingpositions, electro-thermal means for producing bending stress in saidstrip, said strip acting against said detent in response to change inflow of electric current, whereby the detent normally locks said stripin one of said circuit controlling positions but relative vibration ofsaid members permits release of said strip to the other of saidpositions.

3. A vibration control comprising in combination, two memberssusceptible to relative vibration, a delayedaction relay on one of saidmembers including a control contact; a detent on the other of saidmembers located so as normally to retain the said contact in a firstposition but to release the said contact upon the occurrence ofexcessive relative vibration between the members operating to disengagethe detent; and means energizing the relay upon release of the contactto restore the contact to its first position after a predeterminedinterval and thus to restore the contact to position to be retained bythe detent.

4. A vibration control comprising in combination, two memberssusceptible to relative vibration. a delavedaction relay on one of saidmembers including a normally open speed control contact; a detent on theother of said members located so as normally to retain the said contactclosed but to release the said contact upon the occurrence of excessiverelative vibration between the members operating to disengage thedetent; and means energizing the relay upon release of the contact toclose the contact after a predetermined interval and thus to restore thecontact to position to be retained by the detent.

5. A centrifuge comprising a rotatable container, a support membertherefor, a base member on which the support member is mounted, the twomembers being susceptible to relative vibration, a delayed-action relayon one of said members including a normally open speed control contact;a detent on the other of said members located so as normally to retainthe said contact closed but to release the said contact upon theoccurrence of excessive relative vibration between the members operatingto disengage the detent; and means energizing the relay upon release ofthe contact to close the contact after a predetermined interval and thusto restore the contact to position to be retained by the detent, andmeans actuated by opening of the speed control contact to decelerate thecontainer.

6. A combined washing and extracting machine comprising a movablysupported subframe, a pedestal extending from the subframe, a containermounted on the pedestal, means for oscillating the container at apredetermined frequency for washing, means for rotating the container atsubstantially the same frequency for extracting, an elastic rodextending from the subframe, and a mass mounted on the free end of therod, the mass and rod being tuned to vibrate in resonance with the saidfrequency.

7. A combined washing and extracting machine comprising an uprightcasing, a tub supported in the upper part thereof, a subframe movablysupported in the easing below the tub, a pedestal extending from thesubframe into the tub, a container mounted on the pedestal within thetub, means for oscillating the container at a predetermined frequencyfor Washing, means for rotating the container at substantially the samefrequency for extracting, elastic rods extending from the subframe, andmasses mounted on the free ends of the rods, the masses and rods beingtuned to vibrate in resonance with the said frequency.

8. A combined washing and extracting machine comprising an uprightcasing, a tub supported in the upper part thereof, a subframe movablysupported in the easing below the tub, a pedestal extending from thesubframe into the tub, a container mounted on the pedestal within thetub, means for oscillating the container at a predetermined frequencyfor washing, means for rotating the container at substantially the samefrequency for extracting, elastic rods extending from the subframe, andmasses mounted on the free ends of the rods between the tub and easing,the masses and rods being tuned to vibrate in resonance with the saidfrequency.

9. A combined washing and extracting machine comprising an uprightcasing, a tub supported in the upper part thereof, a subframe movablysupported in the casing below the tub, a pedestal extending from thesubframe into the tub, a container mounted on the pedestal within thetub, means for oscillating the container at a predetermined frequencyfor washing, means for accelerating the container to rotation atsubstantially the same frequency for extracting, elastic rods extendingfrom the subframe, and masses mounted on the free ends of the rods, themasses and rods being tuned to vibrate in resonance with the saidfrequency, whereby vibrations at the said frequency are absorbed; andmeans responsive to excessive vibration below the said frequency tointerrupt acceleration of the container and initiate oscillation thereofto redistribute the contents thereof.

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